WINNERS

• Hina Jilani
Having been at the forefront of the movements for women's rights, human rights and peace in Pakistan for three decades, Hina Jilani has taken her commitment to campaign for justice for vulnerable and persecuted citizens to the international stage. Born in Lahore in 1953, Hina co-founded Pakistan’s first all-female legal practice in 1980 with her sister – campaigner Asma Jahangir – and in 1986 set up AGHS Legal Aid, the first free legal aid centre in Pakistan. This year, Hina completed her mandate as UN Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders marking the end of a passionate eight-year term which saw her own liberty put in danger in the same manner of those she has spent much of her life trying to protect.

Following President Musharraf’s imposed state of emergency in November 2007, the warrants for the arrest of some 7,000 Pakistani lawyers and judges were issued, including her own. The need for campaigners of Hina’s commitment and global presence have never been greater, not least in her home nation where the reinstatement of the chief justice has become an international issue.

A regular speaker at events across the world, Hina Jilani’s punishing schedule carries with it the hope of a fair and legitimate legal system as a defence against human rights abuses everywhere.

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This category recognises outstanding achievement by a team, individual, Barristers or Chambers. The winner will be selected by the Editor of The Lawyer.

Previous Winners:
2007	Mark Harding, Barclays
2006	Nigel Savage, College of Law